An Italian carved and veined alabaster vase Roman, 17th century

the concave shoulder rising to an everted rim, on a later socle of matching stone and a marble plinth, the handles carved as entwined snakes or serpents; restorations, handles replaced 

Richard Chauncey (d. 1760), for whom Edgcote House, Northamptonshire, was built between 1748-53.
By descent to the Cartwright family of Aynho, Northamptonshire.
Sold in 1927 to the Courage Family.
Since about 1960 St. James's Church, Edgcote, Northamptonshire until sold on the instructions of the Rector and Churchwardens of St. James's Church in 2005.

In generally good conserved condition. The snake handles were detached and broken in several pieces, they have been professionally been re-assembled and restored. There are signs of two large cracks to the body which have been well restored partly with filler. An attractive piece of monumental proportions, can be placed immediately.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
Alvar González-Palacios, Arredi e ornamenti alla Corte di Roma: 1560-1795, Milan, 2004, p. 112 for a design of a baroque Roman vase with entwined snake handles.

This spectacular marble vase with handles in the form of entwined serpents was carved from a single piece of alabaster and is based on antique Roman models. A very similar Roman vase from the 2nd half of the 2nd century A.D. is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (Accession Number: 2007.31a, b). Linked with the earth, snakes were associated with chthonian powers, and the Greeks and Romans regarded them as guardians of sacred places, houses, and tombs.

With their upper bodies coiled on the broad shoulder, their flat heads stretched forward across the deep concavity of the neck to bite the projecting rim, the snakes on the offered vase set up an impressive play of spatial depth and light and dark effects.

Edgcote House
Edgcote House fig. 1 was built by William Jones between 1747 and 1752 for the wealthy London merchant Richard Chauncey (d. 1760), to the designs of William Smith of Warwick. It passed by inheritance to the Cartwright family of Aynho in 1847 and was acquired by the Courage family in about 1927. The contents of the house were sold on the premises by Castiglione and Scott in March 1920, on the instructions of Ralph Cartwright. The present vase was probably unsold as it was left in the otherwise empty house until about 1960 when it was transferred into the neighbouring St. James's Church, Edgcote. It seems likely that the vase was originally acquired in Italy by either a Chauncey or a Cartwright.